Trench-filling machine.



J. B. CLARK. TBENCH FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION mzo rm. 6. m3.

Patented Jan. 16, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Witneqseo W I l. B. CLARK.

TRENCH FILLING MACHINE.

APPLlCATION FILED FEB-611913.

, Patented Jan. 16, 1917;

5 SHEETHHEE'I' 2- J. B. CLARK.

TRENCH FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED m. 5. 191a.

Patented Jan. 16, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 wane/05% J. B. CLARK.

TRE NCH FILLING MACHiNE. APPLICATION FILED ra.6, 191a.

Patented Jan. 16, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- I B. CLARK. I'RENCH FILLING MACHlNf. APPLICATION FILED FEB- 6.1913.

1,212,906. Patented Jan.16,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- Jwin on t e line 6-6 of Fig. 1; Fig. 7, a section JOEL B. CLARK, OF I BANCBOFT, IOWA.

Tasman-Ermine macnmn.

To all whom it may concern t Be it known that I, JOEL B. CLARK, a

citizen of the United States, residing at- Bancroft, in the county of Kossuth, State of Iowa have invented certain new and use- 111 improvements in Trench-Filling Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and "exact description of the invention, such as 'will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to trench filling machines.

The object of the invention resides in the provision of a machine of the type named which may be readily moved along a trench and operated during such movement to transfer the loose soil on both sides of the trench into the latter.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a trench filling machine in which the trench filling mechanism may be readily adjusted to conform to the vary ing shapes of the soil hills on each side of the trench so as to maintain the efliciency of said mechanism always. at a maximum.

A still further object of the invention is sides in the provision of a trench filling machine which can be easily controlled by a single operator stationed at a given point on the machine.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be .hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the sev eral views, and in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a portionof the truck of the machine and the parts carried thereby; Fig. 2, a continuation of the plan view disclosed in Fig. 1 and showing the scraper mechanism of the machine and the adjacent end of the truck, one of the two similar lateral wings of the scraper mechanism being broken off; Fig. 3, a side elevation of what is shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4,

a side elevation of what is shown in. Fig. 2" Fig. 5, a view looking at the outer end of the scraper mechanism and showing both of said mechanism; Fig. 6, a section Speciflcationot Letters Patent.

versely of the Patented Jan. 16,1917. Application filed February 6, 1913. Serial No. 746,620. I I

on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2-;Fig. 8, a detail perspective view showing the manner of connecting the scrapers to thesprocket chains. Referring to the drawings the machine disposed at the forward end of the truck section and controlled by an operator stationed on the truck all as will hereinafter appear. a

. The truck section A is shown as includis shown as comprlsing a truck section A and a fillmg mechanism B, the latter being ing side members 10 and 11 which are connected together at spaced points 'b members 12 and 13. The side mem ers 10 and 11 are supported upon front and rear axles 14 and 15, the former being of the pivoted type to permit of the proper steering cross I of the truck. Journaled in suitable brackets 16 and 17 mounted on the side member 10 is a steering column 18 the upper end. of which carries a steering wheel 19, while the lower end thereof has fixed thereon a worm 20 which meshes with a worm Wheel 21. fixed on a steering shaft 22 journaled on the side members 10 and 11 transversely of the latter. Wound upon the steering shaft 22 is a steering chain 23 the terminals of which are connected to respective ends of the front axle 14 in the usual and well known manner. Mounted on the forward end of the truck A is a motor C the crank shaft of which is indicated at' 23.

' Fixed on each end of the crank shaft 23' is a balance wheel 24 and loosely mounted on said crank shaft outwardly of the balance wheels 24 are sprocket wheels 25. and 26 respectively. These sprocket wheels 25 and 26' are a apted to be connected to the crank shaft23 by means of clutch devices 27 and 28 respectively said clutch devices being operated respectively from. the rear end of the truck by means of suitably.

30. Journaled transmounted levers 29 an versely of the truck A inwardly 0f the crank shaft 23 and in suitable brackets 31 is a transverse shaft 32 which has fixed thereon large sprocket wheels 33 and 34 and a small sprocket wheel 35,'t he large sprocket wheel 34 being disposedj'in line with the sprocket wheel 26 and connected to the lat ter by a sprocket chain 36. J ournaled transtruck A in suitable brackets a 'shaft 39 which has fixed 37 and 38 is rocket wheel 40 and a thereon asmall large sprocket wheel .41, the latter being dis j posed in alinement with the small sprocket of :the side members 10 and 11 respectively when 35 on the shaft 32 and connected to said sprocket Wheel 35 by a sprocket chain 42. Journaled in suitablebrackets 43 and 44 mounted on the upper sides of the side members 10 and 11 between the shaft 39 g and the axle 15 is a shaft E which comsprocket chain 50. The shaft sections 45 and 46 are extended beyond the outer sides and fixed on the section '45 adjacent the outer side of the side member 10 is' a sprocket wheel 51, while a corresponding sprocket wheel 52 is fixed on the shaft section 46 adjacent the outer side of the side member 11. Loosely mounted on the axle 15 are traction wheels 53 and 54 to the inner sides of which are rigidly connected sprocket wheels 55 and 56 respectively. The sprocket wheel 55 is connected tothe sprocket wheel 51 by a sprocket chain 57 while the sprocket wheel 56 is connected to the sprocket wheel 52 by a sprocket chain 58. J ournaled in suitable brackets 59 and 60 secured to the lower sides of,the side members 10 and 11 respectively and disposed between the shafts 39 and E is a shaft 61. Fixed on this shaft 61 is a small sprocket .wheel 62 and a gear 63, the latter meshing with the gear 49 on the shaft section 45. Fixed on the section'46 of the shaft E is a sprocket wheel 64 which is disposed in the same plane as the sprocket wheels 62 and 40. Traveling on the sprocket wheel 64 is a sprocket chain 65 which is adapted to be interchangeably enga ed with the sprocket wheels 40 and 62 to efl ect a reversal' in the direction of rotation of the traction wheels 53 and 54. Assuming that the s rocket chain 65 is engaged over the sproc et wheel 40 it will be apparent that when the motor C is o erated the various connections heretofore escribed will transmitthe rotation of the crank shaft 23' of the motor to thetraction wheels53 and 54 so as to move the truck A rearwardly. As

the various sprocket wheels and chains connecting the motor to the traction wheels 53' and 54 form in efiect a diminishing train of gears it will be apparent'that the rearward movement of the truck will be very slow in proportion to the rotation of the crank shaft 23 of the motor. If it is desired to move the truck A ahead it is only necessary to shift the sprocket chain 65 from the sprocket wheel 46 to the sprocket wheel 62. Under these conditions the shaft E will be rotated from the shaft 32 by the sprocket chain 50 andes the cutting out of the sprocket wheel 40' removes the diminishing train feature of the various connections to a large extent it will be apparent that the operation of the motor will move the truck A forwardly at a much greater speed than that at which the rearward movement of the truck is effected.

Mounted upon the rear end of the truck A is a transversely disposed vertical frame F which includes spaced uprights 66 and 67 connected together adjacent their upper.

ends by a cross member 68 and beneath said cross member 68 by a cross member 69. Supported by the frame F and projecting rearwardly therefrom is a lurality of booms 70, 71 and 72 the free en s of which are supported by stay cables 73 suitably connected to the upper ends of the uprights 66 and 67. Rotatab y mounted in the upright 66 and extending longitudinally of the truck A is a crank shaft 74 upon which is adapted to be wound one end of a cable 75. This cable 75 is trained over suitable pulleys 76 mounted on the upright 66 and the outer end of the boom 70 respectively and is then engaged through an eye 77 formed'in a bail 7 8, the adjacent end -of said cable being then suitably anchored to the free end of the boom 70. J ournaled in the uprights 66 and 67 transversely of the truck A is a crank shaft 79 upon which is adapted to be wound acable 80. This cable is trained over suitable vpulleys 81 and 82 secured respectively to the cross member 69 and to the outer end of the boom 71 and has the end thereof adjacent the pulley 82 attached to an eye member 83 of a bail 84. Rotatably mounted in the upright 67 longitudinally of the truck A isa crank sha 85 upon which is adapted to be wound a cable 86. This cable 86 is trained over suitable pulleys 87 secured respectively to the upright 67 and the outer end of the boom 72. The cable 86 is then engaged through an eye 89 of a bail 90 and then anchored to the outer end of the boom 72. By this construction it will be apparent that by manually rotat- 7 lar ends 93 and 94 areconnected by a cross bar 95 in which are mounted jack screws 96 adapted to cooperate with the rear axle .15 of the truck to, effect the raising-and lowering of the inner end of the frame H as willbeobvious. The side members-91 and 92 are also connected by cross beams 97, 98

I 1,212,9oe

treme outer end' of the frame H. Secured to the cross beams 95 and 97 is alongituwheel 102 which is connected to the sprocket wheel 25 on the crank shaft 23by a sprocket chain 103. J ournaled on the cross members 97, 98 and 99 is a longitudinal shaft 104 which has fixed on the inner end thereof a beveled gear 105 meshing with a beveled gear 106 fixed on the innerend of the shaft 101. Fixed on the shaft 104 adjacent the inner side of the cross member 98 is a ear 107, while a sprocket wheel 108 is fixed on said shaft 104 adjacent the outer side of the cross member 99. J ournaled longitudinally of the frame H on the crossmembers 98 and 99 is a shaft 109 and fixed on the inner end of this shaft is a gear 110 which meshes with the gear 107, while a sprocket wheel 111 is fixed on the outer end of the shaft 109 ad- 'acent the outer side of the cross member 99.

spending from the side member 91 at its outer end and adjacent the inner end of the angular portion 93 are legs 112; while similar le 113 depend from the side member 92, adjacent legs 112 and 113 being connected near their lower ends by a cross member 114. Journaled in the legs 112 near the lower end thereof is a longitudinal shaft 115,

7 while a corresponding longitudinal shaft 116 is journaled in the legs .113. Fixed on the outer end of the shaft 115 in the same plane with the sprocket wheel 108 is a sprocket wheel 117 and, connecting the sprocket wheels 117 and 108 is a sprocket chain 118.

Fixed on the outer end of the shaft 116 is end of the frame H can'be raised and lowered at will, while the inner end of said frame may be adjusted up and down through the medium of thejack screws 96 as heretofore referred to.

The scrapin devices of the filling mechanism project aterally from the frame H and are indicated generally at M and N. As both of these devices are identical in construction only the device M the outer end of which is su portedfrom the boom will be described in detail. This device M is shown ascomprising a frame which includes side members 121 and 122 and cross members 123 and 124. The inner ends of the side members 121 and 122 are rotatably cm 142 at an incline they will mounted on the shaft 115 and fixed on this shaft 115 adjacent the outer sides of the side members 121 and 122' are sprocket.

wheels 125 and 126 respectively. Mounted in the outer'ends of the side members 121 and 122 is a transverse rod 127 the-ends of which are engaged by the "bail 78 so that by manipulating the crank shaft 74 the outer end of the scraper device M may be raised and lowered at will. Rotatably mounted on the rod 127 in alinement respectively with the sprocket wheels 125 and 126 are sprocket wheels 128 and 129. Traveling on the sprocket wheels 125 and 128 is a sprocket chain 130, while a similar sprocket chain 131 travels on the sprocket wheels 126 and 129.. Mounted upon the side member 121 between the sprocket wheels 125 and 128 are upper and lower rails 132 and 133 respectively which serve to Support the sprocket chain 130 during its travel. Simi-.

lar rails 134 and 135 are mounted on the side member 122 and serve to support the sprocket chain 131 during its travel. The sprocket chains130 and 131 are constructed of alternate pairs of links 136 and 137 and single links 138 connecting adjacent pairs of links 136 and 137. The width of the links 138 isequal to the combined width of the links 136 and 137 so as to maintainthe chains of even strength throughout. Corresponding pairs of links 136 and 137 are provided at intervals with laterally directed flanges 139 upon which is suitably mounted one armv140 of an angle bracket. The other arm 141 of this angle bracket is inclined slightly in the direction of movement of the chains 130 and 131. Secured to the arms 141 of corresponding brackets of the chains 130 and 131 are scraper blades 142 the inner ends of which terminate in an angular porparent that when the scraping device has been adjusted to conform with hills of dirt to be filled into the trench the an lar end 43 will lie substantially paralle to the ground and efliciently scrape the loose particles of dirt left upon the ground into the trench. Suitably mounted on the chains 130 and 131 between the scrapers 142 are rake bars 144 which serve to loosen the dirt in advance of the scra er.

It will be noted t at by settingmthe scrapmadeto dig into the hills of dirt at their initial engagement with the latter and o erate in the nature of a shovel which wil greatly increase the effectiveness of the scrapers in reaching the ends desired.

In the operation of themachine the truck is moved so as to straddle the trench to be filled and the sprocket chain 65 engaged over the sprocket wheel 40. The frame H} each side of the trench by mani ulating the crank shafts 74, 79 and 85. T e clutch 27 is then thrown in and by reason of the various connections between the sprocket Wheel 5 25 and the scraping devices M and N the latter will be operated to move the sprocket chains 130 and 131 in the proper direction ,to cause the scrapers to shift the dirt intothe trench from 7 each side of the latter. 10' The backward movement of the truck A is continued during the operation of the scraping devices so that the entire machine will progress along the trench until the" work 7 imposed upon it is completed.

15 What I claim is u In a trench filling machine, the combination of a wheeled truck, a frame extending longitudinally of the truck and forwardly thereof, said frame being freely supported on the truck for rocking movement, adjust- 2O ing screws .mounted in the frame at the inner end thereof and engaging the truck, scraping devices pivotallysupported by the frame at each side thereof, means for raising and lowering the outer end of the frame, 2i and means for operating said scraping devices. p a

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOELB. CLARK,

Witnesses:

P. A. LONERGAN, L. F, KENNEDY. 

